Jets preseason opener: Three things we learned

Frank Victores/US PresswireBilal Powell (29) takes a handoff from Tim Tebow against the Bengals. Powell seems to have vaulted Joe McKnight on the running back depth chart.

1 Quinton Coples was active in his first preseason game, despite not being part of the Jets “base” 3-4 front. The first-round pick faded on some plays but had an impact on others, recording a batted pass, a strip sack and two tackles for a loss. Rex Ryan said his play was “tremendous.”

2 Bilal Powell appears to have jumped Joe McKnight on the running backs depth chart. The second-year player out of Louisville came in as the third-down back with the first-team offense.

3 Matt Slauson is getting work as a backup center. Caleb Schlauderaff has not impressed in practice, with high shotgun snaps and fumbled exchanges with Tim Tebow in last week’s scrimmage. Slauson, recently dubbed the winner in the left guard competition, snapped to Tebow for his first series before Schlauderaff came in.

ONE MORE THING

Safety Eric Smith injured his left knee and hip making a tackle on a punt in the second quarter. Trainers wrapped up the knee and put ice on it. X-rays were negative, and the team said he is day to day. Smith said he doesn’t think the injury is “too serious.''